BMW unveils 431-hp M4 Cabriolet

X5 eDrive, upgraded Countryman among debuts in New York

Originally published: April 16, 2014

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BMW had a plethora of new models at the New York International Auto Show along with the 4 Series Gran Coupe and the X4 Sports Activity Coupe. The M4 Cabriolet made an expected appearance, offering the M Division special brand of track performance with open air motoring. Powered by the all-new TwinPower turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six with a whopping 431 horsepower (not to mention 406 pound-feet of torque), the M4 cabrio sprints to 100 kilometres an hour in just 4.4 seconds when equipped with the optional seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission.

Aluminum and Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic body panels reduce weight as does the use of carbon fibre in the driveshaft and the engine compartment’s front suspension strut brace. The Cabriolet’s folding metal roof can be opened or stowed in 20 seconds at speeds up to 18 kilmetres an hour.

Meanwhile, the X5 eDrive uses plugin concept uses a 95 horsepower electric motor to power the SAV to as much as 30 kilometres of emissions-free motoring. The gasoline portion of the X5’s hybrid powertrain is handled by BMW’s 240-hp TwinPower turbocharged four. Along with the Comfort, Sport and EcoPro modes currently common to BMWs, the eDrive offers a MAX eDrive for driving solely on electricity and a SAVE Battery mode that uses gasoline power alone to preserve the current battery charge. BMW claims an overall fuel economy of 3.8 L/100 km in the (admittedly more lax) EU test cycle.

Mini showed off a lightly upgraded Countryman with revised grille, revised 17-inch wheels and slightly revised side sills. LED daytime running lights and fog lamps have been added to the front end. The interior sees similarly small updates with a modified centre stack and chromed vents. Mini would seem to be unwilling to futz too much with the Countryman. Considering that 350,000 have been sold since just 2011, consistency may indeed be the best policy.